The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Durham asks about impact of COVID-19 on the charity sector

The Lord Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 24th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 on the number of volunteers in the charity sector, and what steps they are taking to support charities to recruit a sufficient number of volunteers.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con, DCMS): His Majesty’s Government recognises how vital volunteering is for society, reaping benefits for those who volunteer as well as the organisations they assist. The Government aims to remove barriers which prevent people from getting involved.

Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham urges access for medical supplies to enter Gaza following bombing of the Al-Ahli hospital

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the airstrike on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza on 19th October 2023, highlighting the need for medical supplies and aid to be allowed entry to Gaza and calling for hospitals to be protected:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham: I am grateful to the Minister for highlighting the very real connections that there are between the Anglican Church and the hospital. The Al-Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican province of Jerusalem, as he knows, and built around the sacred and historic St Philip’s church, which was subject to such an horrendous incident on Tuesday. We grieve with all those who grieve the suffering and the innocent deaths in Israel and Gaza arising from the atrocious attack by Hamas.

Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham asks about impact of NHS waiting times

On 19th October 2023, the Bishop of & Nottingham asked a question on the impact of long NHS waiting times on children and families:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham: My Lords, the delays in treatment for long-term sickness do not just affect those returning to work but have a secondary impact on family life. Have the Government assessed the effect of these delays on children and young people under 18, who frequently take on additional caring responsibilities for parents with long-term sickness, although this is often detrimental to their education and their emotional and mental health?

Bishop of Sheffield asks about employment support for people with long term health conditions

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question about support for programmes allowing people with health conditions to find and remain in paid employment on 18th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, one such initiative that supports people with a health condition to find and remain in paid employment is called Working Win. It has been piloted in South Yorkshire, and I am assured that both the DWP and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority consider the pilot to have been a success. What plans do the Government have to roll out this health-led employment programme more widely?

Bishop of Sheffield highlights work done by faith communities and charities to support newly released prisoners

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question a question on support for faith communities’ projects to help newly released prisoners, following a government statement on prison capacity on 17th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, nine days ago it was my privilege to lead Sunday worship at HMP Doncaster, where I was reminded by the chaplain that many faith communities and charities do excellent work supporting newly released prisoners as they resettle into their communities, with a demonstrably positive impact on reoffending rates. What more can be done to support such projects?

Bishop of Sheffield asks about climate commitments

On 17th October 2023, the Bishop of Sheffield asked a question about the government’s climate financing commitments in advance of the COP 27 Conference:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, it is reassuring to hear that the Government are confident of meeting the commitments made at COP 26 in relation to climate finance for adaptation and mitigation. Are the Government equally confident that commitments made at COP 27 in relation to the loss and damage fund will be not only met but made fully operational?

Bishop of St Albans asks about support for purchasing school uniforms and stationery

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 17th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support parents with back-to-school costs, including (1) uniform, and (2) stationery.

Baroness Barran (Con, DfE): The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and has provided £94 billion to support households with higher costs across 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Additional cost of living payments of up to £900 will be made in 2023/24 to households on means tested benefits.

Bishop of Bristol asks about church buildings and tax

The Bishop of Bristol received the following written answers on 17th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Bristol asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have figures on the number of places of worship open in the UK.

Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con, Home Office): The Registrar General for England and Wales has a statutory duty to maintain a list of all places of worship in England and Wales which is available for the public to view on Places of worship registered for marriage – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Bishop of St Albans asks about controlling water pollution

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 17th October 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, following the plans to relax nutrient neutrality rules, what (1) statutory, or (2) other, measures, they will take to promote compliance among developers.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: